ملاحظات أُعدت كمرجع خلال جولة كرزون في الخليج الفارسي، وأوراق أخرى عن بلاد فارس والخليج الفارسي [و‎‎٢‎٠‎٥] (٦٧٨/٤٠٩)

If c>cag)
17
have come. Count Metternicli has since con-
To Sir F. Lascelles, firmed this assurance in conversation with Lord
No. 3S7,
October 16. Lansdowne, adding that the railway might be
made five years or fifty years hence, or not at all,
but that when it was made it was important for
Germany to find a peaceful condition of things
in that part of the Gulf.
Defences of Koweit. With regard to the military defences of Koweit
the following reports have heen received since the
statement of Admiral Douglas in February 1899
that the navy alone could afford effective protec
tion :—
Commander-in-chief, East Indies, to Admiralty. — {Com
municated by Admiralty, August 31.)
August 31, 1901.
Senior Naval Officer Persian Gulf reports Sheikh
Koweit cannot, and will not, openly oppose disem
barking men of Turkish army. Town not walled.
For stopping advance of the troops by land long-
range shell fire from ship little use by day, and
none by night. Attack by land unlikely in hot
weather.
Commander-in-chief, Eo.st Indies, to Government of
India.—{ Communicated by India Office, October 4.)
(Telegraphic.)
Senior Naval Officer, Persian Gulf, informs me that,
if political considerations prevent present fortifying or
employment of troops, and diplomacy fails to render-
action unnecessary, withdrawal of non-combatant
inhabitants to island in the bay advisable, to permit
free exercise of shell fire and prevent occupation of
town. Wells are situated 3 miles outside town, which
is thus rendered equally untenable for either side.
Use of Turkish flag in Koweit. The declarations repeatedly made by His
Majesty’s Government of non-interference with
existing Turkish authority have involved some
controversy with regard to the use by the Sheikh
of the Turkish flag to which British officers in
the Gulf are strongly averse.
Mubarak has constantly flown the Turkish
flag not only on his dhow while in the company
of the Yali of Bussorah, but also at his house on
the occasion of the British Besident’s visit.
When asked the reason of this he replied that
[929] E